CHAPTER XIV. MICKY MAGUIRE'S DISAPPOINTMENT.

 Micky Maguire waited until Dick was actually on the way to the station-house, and then started for Pearl Street to acquaint Gilbert with the success of his machinations. His breast swelled¹ with triumph at the advantage he had gained over his enemy.

 

"May be he'll keep his 'cheerin' reflections' to himself another time," thought Micky. "He won't have much to say about my going to the Island when he's been there himself. They won't stand none of his airs there, I'm thinkin'."

 

There was another pleasant aspect to the affair. Micky had not only triumphed over his enemy, but he was going to be paid for it. This was the stipulation² between Gilbert and himself. The book-keeper had not promised any definite sum, but Micky, in speculating upon the proper compensation for his service, fixed³ upon five dollars as about what he ought to receive. Like many others who count their chickens before they are hatched, he had already begun to consider what he would buy with it when he had got it.

 

Now, only the day previous, Micky had noticed hanging in a window in Chatham Street, a silver watch, and chain attached, which was labelled "Genuine Silver, only Five Dollars." Since Micky had been the possessor of a blue coat with brass⁴ buttons, his thoughts had dwelt more than ever before on his personal appearance, and the watch had struck his fancy. He did not reflect much on the probable quality of a silver watch which could be sold for five dollars, and a chain thrown into the bargain. It was a watch, at any rate, and would make a show. Besides, Dick wore a watch, and Micky felt that he did not wish to be outdone. As soon as he received his reward he meant to go and buy it.

 

It was therefore in a very cheerful frame of mind that Micky walked up in front of Rockwell & Cooper's store, and took his stand, occasionally glancing at the window.

 

Ten minutes passed away, and still he remained unnoticed. He grew impatient, and determined⁵ to enter, making his business an excuse.

 

Entering, he saw through the open door of the office, the book-keeper, bending over the desk writing.

 

"Shine yer boots?" he asked.

 

Gilbert was about to answer angrily in the negative, when looking up he recognized his young confederate. His manner changed, and he said, "Yes, I believe I'll have a shine; but you must be quick about it."

 

Micky swung his box from his shoulder, and, sinking upon his knees, seized his brush, and went to work scientifically.

 

"Any news?" asked Gilbert, in a low voice.

 

"Yes, mister, I've done it," said Micky.

 

"Have you managed to trap him?"

 

"Yes, I left him on his way to the station-house."

 

"How did you manage it?"

 

"I grabbed an old fellow's wallet, and dropped it into Dick's pocket. He pulled it out, and while he was lookin' at it, up came the 'copp' and nabbed him."

 

"How about the man from whom the wallet was taken?"

 

"He came up puffin', and swore Dick was the chap that stole it."

 

"So he was carried off to the station-house?"

 

"Yes; he's there safe enough."

 

"Then we shall have to carry on business without him," said Gilbert, coolly. "I hope he will enjoy himself at his new quarters."

 

"Maybe they'll send him to the Island," said Micky, beginning his professional operations upon the second boot.

 

"Very likely," said Gilbert. "I suppose you've been there before this."

 

"Wot if I have?" said Micky, in rather a surly tone, for he did not relish⁶ the allusion⁷.

 

"No offence," said Gilbert. "I only meant that if you have ever been there, you can judge whether your friend Dick will enjoy it."

 

"Not a great deal," said Micky; "but you needn't call him my friend. I hate him."

 

"Your enemy, then. But get through as soon as possible."

 

Micky struck his brush upon the floor to indicate that the job was finished, and, rising, waited for his fee.

 

Gilbert took from his pocket ten cents and handed him.

 

"That's for the shine," he said; "and here's something for the other matter."

 

So saying, he placed in the hand of the boot-black a bank-note.

 

Micky glanced at it, and his countenance⁸ changed ominously⁹, when he perceived the denomination¹⁰. It was a one-dollar bill!

 

"It's one dollar," he said.

 

"Isn't that enough?"

 

"No, it isn't," he answered, sullenly¹¹. "I might 'ave been nabbed myself. I can't afford to work on no such terms."

 

Micky was right. It certainly was a very small sum to receive for taking such a risk, apart from all moral considerations, and his dissatisfaction can hardly be wondered at. But Gilbert was not of a generous nature. In fact he was disposed to be mean, and in the present instance he had even expected to get the credit of being generous. A dollar, he thought, must seem an immense sum to a ragged¹² boot-black. But Micky thought differently, and Gilbert felt irritated at his ingratitude¹³.

 

"It's all you'll get," said he, roughly.

 

"Then you'd better get somebody else to do your dirty work next time, mister," said Micky, angrily.

 

"Clear out, you young blackguard!" exclaimed Gilbert, his temper by this time fully¹⁴ aroused. "Clear out, if you don't want to be kicked out!"

 

"Maybe you'll wish you'd given me more," said Micky, sullenly picking up his box, and leaving the office.

 

"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Murdock, who happened to come up just as Micky went into the street, and heard the last words of the altercation¹⁵.

 

"Oh," said Gilbert, carelessly, "he wasn't satisfied with his pay. I gave him ten cents, but the young rascal¹⁶ wanted more."

 

As he said this, he turned back to his desk.

 

"I wonder whether Gilbert's going anywhere," thought the head clerk. "I never knew him so extravagant¹⁷ before. He must be going out this evening."

 

Just then it occurred to him that Dick had been absent longer than usual, and, as he needed his services, he asked, "Has Richard returned, Mr. Gilbert?"

 

"I haven't seen him."

 

"Did he go out at the usual time?"

 

"Yes."

 

"What can have detained him?" said Mr. Murdock, thoughtfully.

 

"He's probably fallen in with some of his old friends, and forgotten all about his duties."

 

"That is not his way," said Mr. Murdock, quietly, as he walked away. He understood very well Mr. Gilbert's hostility¹⁸ to Dick, and that the latter was not likely to receive a very favorable judgment¹⁹ at his hands.

 

Five minutes later a boy entered the store, and, looking about him a moment in uncertainty²⁰, said, "I want to see Mr. Murdock."

 

"I am Mr. Murdock," he answered.

 

"Then this note is for you."

 

The clerk felt instinctively²¹ that the note was from Dick, and, not wishing Gilbert to hear the conversation, motioned the boy to follow him to the back part of the store.

 

Then he opened and read the note quickly.

 

"Did Richard Hunter give this to you?" he asked.

 

"No," said Tim Ryan, for that was his name. "It was the 'copp' that arrested him."

 

"I suppose a 'copp' is a policeman."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Were you present when he was arrested?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Do you know anything about it?"

 

"Yes, I seed it all."

 

"You saw the wallet taken?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Did Richard take it?"

 

"You mean Dick?" said Tim, interrogatively, for Richard was to him a strange name.

 

"No, he didn't, then. He wouldn't steal. I never know'd him to."

 

"Then you know Dick?"

 

"Yes, sir. I've knowed him ever since I was so high," indicating a point about three feet above the floor.

 

"Then who did take it, if not he?"

 

"Micky Maguire."

 

"Who is he?"

 

"He blacks boots."

 

"Then how did it happen that he was not arrested?"

 

"Micky was smart enough to drop the wallet into Dick's pocket as he was standin' before a shop winder. Then he got out of the way, and Dick was nabbed by the 'copp.'"

 

"Is this Micky of whom you speak a friend of yours?"

 

"No; he likes to bully²² small boys."

 

"Then why didn't you tell the officer he had arrested the wrong boy?"

 

"I wanted to," said Tim, "for Dick's always been kind to me; but I was afraid Micky would give me a beatin' when he got free. Then there was another reason."

 

"What was that?"

 

"It's mean to tell of a fellow."

 

"Isn't it meaner to let an innocent boy get punished, when you might save him by telling?"

 

"Maybe it is," said Tim, perplexed²³.

 

"My lad," continued Mr. Murdock, "you say Dick has been kind to you. You now have an opportunity to repay all he has ever done, by clearing him from this false charge, which you can easily do."

 

"I'll do it," said Tim, stoutly²⁴. "I don't care if Micky does lick me for it."

 

"By the way," said Mr. Murdock, with a sudden thought, "what is the appearance of this Micky Maguire?"

 

"He's rather stout²⁵, and has freckles²⁶."

 

"Does he wear a blue coat, with large brass buttons?"

 

"Yes," said Tim, in surprise. "Do you know him?"

 

"I have seen him this morning," said Mr. Murdock. "Wait a minute, and I will give you a line to Dick; or rather it will not be necessary. If you can get a chance, let him know that I am going to call on him this afternoon. Will you be at the station-house, or near it, at six o'clock?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Then we can arrange about your appearing as a witness at the trial. Here is half a dollar for your trouble in bringing the note."

 

"I don't want it, sir," said Tim. "I don't want to take anything for doing a good turn to Dick."

 

"But you have been prevented from earning money. You had better take it."

 

But Tim, who was a warm-hearted Irish boy, steadfastly²⁷ refused, and left the store in quest of Henderson's hat and cap store, having also a note to deliver to Fosdick.

 

"So that was Micky Maguire who was here a little while since," said Mr. Murdock to himself. "It seems singular that immediately after getting Richard into trouble, he should have come here where he was employed. Can it be that Gilbert had a previous acquaintance with him?"

 

The more Mr. Murdock reflected, the more perplexed he became. It did cross his mind that the two might be in league against Dick; but then, on the other hand, they evidently parted on bad terms, and this seemed to make such a combination improbable. So he gave up puzzling himself about it, reflecting that time would clear up what seemed mysterious about the affair.

 

Gilbert, on his part, could not help wondering on what errand Tim Ryan came to Mr. Murdock. He suspected he might be a messenger from Dick, but thought it best not to inquire, and Mr. Murdock did not volunteer any information. When the store closed, the head clerk bent²⁸ his steps towards the station-house.

 

1 swelled   

增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情）

参考例句：

• The infection swelled his hand. 由于感染，他的手肿了起来。
• After the heavy rain the river swelled. 大雨过后，河水猛涨。

2 stipulation   

n.契约，规定，条文；条款说明

参考例句：

• There's no stipulation as to the amount you can invest. 没有关于投资额的规定。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The only stipulation the building society makes is that house must be insured. 建屋互助会作出的唯一规定是房屋必须保险。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

4 brass   

n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器

参考例句：

• Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 relish   

n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味

参考例句：

• I have no relish for pop music.我对流行音乐不感兴趣。
• I relish the challenge of doing jobs that others turn down.我喜欢挑战别人拒绝做的工作。

7 allusion   

n.暗示，间接提示

参考例句：

• He made an allusion to a secret plan in his speech.在讲话中他暗示有一项秘密计划。
• She made no allusion to the incident.她没有提及那个事件。

8 countenance   

n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同

参考例句：

• At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
• I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

9 ominously   

adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地

参考例句：

• The wheels scooped up stones which hammered ominously under the car. 车轮搅起的石块，在车身下发出不吉祥的锤击声。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Mammy shook her head ominously. 嬷嬷不祥地摇着头。 来自飘（部分）

10 denomination   

n.命名，取名，(度量衡、货币等的)单位

参考例句：

• The firm is still operating under another denomination.这家公司改用了名称仍在继续营业。
• Litre is a metric denomination.升是公制单位。

11 sullenly   

不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地

参考例句：

• 'so what?" Tom said sullenly. “那又怎么样呢？”汤姆绷着脸说。
• Emptiness after the paper, I sIt'sullenly in front of the stove. 报看完，想不出能找点什么事做，只好一人坐在火炉旁生气。

12 ragged   

adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的

参考例句：

• A ragged shout went up from the small crowd.这一小群人发出了刺耳的喊叫。
• Ragged clothing infers poverty.破衣烂衫意味着贫穷。

13 ingratitude   

n.忘恩负义

参考例句：

• Tim's parents were rather hurt by his ingratitude.蒂姆的父母对他的忘恩负义很痛心。
• His friends were shocked by his ingratitude to his parents.他对父母不孝，令他的朋友们大为吃惊。

14 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

15 altercation   

n.争吵，争论

参考例句：

• Throughout the entire altercation,not one sensible word was uttered.争了半天，没有一句话是切合实际的。
• The boys had an altercation over the umpire's decision.男孩子们对裁判的判决颇有争议。

16 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

17 extravagant   

adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的

参考例句：

• They tried to please him with fulsome compliments and extravagant gifts.他们想用溢美之词和奢华的礼品来取悦他。
• He is extravagant in behaviour.他行为放肆。

18 hostility   

n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争

参考例句：

• There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
• His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。

19 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

20 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

21 instinctively   

adv.本能地

参考例句：

• As he leaned towards her she instinctively recoiled. 他向她靠近，她本能地往后缩。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He knew instinctively where he would find her. 他本能地知道在哪儿能找到她。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。

23 perplexed   

adj.不知所措的

参考例句：

• The farmer felt the cow,went away,returned,sorely perplexed,always afraid of being cheated.那农民摸摸那头牛，走了又回来，犹豫不决，总怕上当受骗。
• The child was perplexed by the intricate plot of the story.这孩子被那头绪纷繁的故事弄得迷惑不解。

24 stoutly   

adv.牢固地，粗壮的

参考例句：

• He stoutly denied his guilt.他断然否认自己有罪。
• Burgess was taxed with this and stoutly denied it.伯杰斯为此受到了责难，但是他自己坚决否认有这回事。

26 freckles   

n.雀斑，斑点( freckle的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• She had a wonderful clear skin with an attractive sprinkling of freckles. 她光滑的皮肤上有几处可爱的小雀斑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• When she lies in the sun, her face gets covered in freckles. 她躺在阳光下时，脸上布满了斑点。 来自《简明英汉词典》

27 steadfastly   

adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝

参考例句：

• So he sat, with a steadfastly vacant gaze, pausing in his work. 他就像这样坐着，停止了工作，直勾勾地瞪着眼。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
• Defarge and his wife looked steadfastly at one another. 德伐日和他的妻子彼此凝视了一会儿。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

28 bent   

n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的

参考例句：

• He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
• We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。